The light welterweight division is regarded as one of if not the most talent deep weight classes in the sport today, and features fighters some believe will become the next generation of pay per view stars after the retirement of the likes of current stars Manny Pacquaio and Floyd Mayweather.
In the next few months however the arguable top three are all leaving the division.
IBF/WBA champion Amir Khan has stated that he will take one more fight at light welterweight before moving up by the end of the year, with his last 140lb fight likely being against either the Morales vs. Matthysse winner or the Maidana vs. Guerrero winner.
His eventual goal is a showdown with pound for pound great Floyd Mayweather in England sometime next year, although the much talked about fight between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao may delay this.
Free agent Devon Alexander’s initial target isn’t quite so lofty in Paulie Malignaggi although looking to fight a Golden Boy fighter might be telling of who he intends to sign with.
While Malignaggi might be a safe option at this stage, what he consistently brings to the table is selling power, largely due to his frequent feuds with opponents and controversial statements. Conversely Alexander himself is the polar opposite of this, often communication primarily through his manager, and so might learn a thing or two from Malignaggi in terms of self promotion.
WBO champion Timothy Bradley, the would be free agent currently being sued by his former promoters, is similarly on the verge of a move up in weight. If rumors are to be believed he will sign with Top Rank in the near future, with a fight against Manny Pacquiao being his eventual prize for doing so.
Bradley uniquely among the three has also already tested the waters at welterweight, defeating the previously unbeaten Luis Carlos Abregu last year.
At the very least then two of the four major belts at light welterweight will soon become vacant, with the third being a possibility also.
Lucas Matthysse faces Erik Morales for the now vacant WBC title, with the winner possibly facing Amir Khan towards the end of the year, who in either case he would be a strong favorite against.
